Welcome to Texas justice: You might beat the rap, but you won't beat the ride.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Things I'd like for Christmas that may not fit in Santa's sack

As we approach the 82nd Texas Legislature, here's a list of ten criminal justice policy reforms I'd like for Christmas that may not fit in Santa's sack:

Honest fiscal notes regarding the true cost of legislation increasing criminal penalties at the Texas Legislature. Relatedly, perhaps Santa could ensure that the budget shortfall will force Texas to reconsider its mass-incarceration policies of the last two decades.

Restoration of the law enforcement exception in the Public Information Act (Sec. 552.108 of the Government Code) back to the historic AG's interpretation prior to the 1996 SCOTX case Holmes v. Morales. That was a tremendous blow to transparency about which few people are even aware.

That the powers that be will reconsider and eliminate onerous and pointless security theater at the entrances to the Texas capitol.

My hope is that hemp be restored to its rightful place in American industry as a textile resource of choice. Hemp could save our economy, our farmland, put people back to work. Its seeds and oil are true food, storehouses of nutrition that will save our health. Its leaves cure cancer. And most of all, that those incarcerated because of using it for recreational / medicinal purposes would have their freedom rightfully restored.

I order hemp hearts as nutritional supplement from a guy in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. The product comes to my house courtesy of the US Post Office, perfectly legally.

Doesn't it make a lot of sense to allow the import of hemp products while making it a crime to grow it in the US. But my purchase contributes to the prosperity of a businessman in Lethbridge and to Alberta farmers.

Santa could do worse than to relieve the current BPP of their responsibilities and put in place clear parole requirements that can be achieved by eligible inmates, rather than having the lottery that is currently inplace with reasons for denial that the inmate can do nothing at all to remedy.

I would like to commend Scott for his passion for justice. He has done well, some would suppose, to view one-half of the equation and champion a cause based on that half view. However, some would argue, what about the half that he either denies or fails to see?

Could I say he is right? He is half-right, but is one so ardent in his half perception really all that right? I guess it's something to contemplate as we enter a new year.

too late for a Christmas wish, so I'll make this one for New Year. That the leg. cannot create a new crime w/o eliminating one already on the books. Some rep plans to introduce again a bill to outlaw talking on cell phone while driving. Okay--take the one off about wearing a seat belt.

Southern, daily and good for you

Grits for Breakfast looks at the Texas criminal justice system, with a little politics and whatever
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